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861

Rolex

Ref. 18039, inside caseback stamped 18000

Day-Date

A very fine and rare white gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, “wood” dial and bracelet

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000
€12,900 - 21,600
$15,400 - 25,600
HK$252,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1987
Reference No
18039, inside caseback stamped 18000
Movement No
1’812’347
Case No
R279’855
Model Name
Day-Date
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 190mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
Dimensions
36mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by a Rolex service guarantee.
Catalogue Essay
Always referred as the “President’s watch”, the Rolex Day-Date has garnered an iconic status since its initial release in 1956. Predominantly encased in precious metals, the Day-Date is one of the most diverse range of wristwaches that Rolex has to offer, with examples in varying sizes, case and dial materials, dial configuration and gem-set examples as well.

The present Day-Date from circa 1987 falls into the rarer category of the model. Referenced 18039, it was first introduced by Rolex in 1978, upgraded from the famed and much loved ref. 1803. Encased in white gold, the present example features a rare “wood” dial. With most “wood” dials found in yellow gold cases, the white gold variant is certainly rare. Requiring precise execution, no “wood” dial is the same as another, making every single one “unique”.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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